Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Small Helping of the Teen Menu

Think of the teen menu as a small but tasty helping this month. I'm currently in the middle of judging RWA's RITA contest, so all my reading time is being devoted to that. But before the entries I'm judging arrived, I did have time to read one YA novel I'd like to tell you about.

Lots of YA releases are parts of series, and that's the case of Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series. The first in the series was City of Bones, where we're introduced to the world of the Nephilim, aka Shadowhunters, (our main characters) and Downworlders (werewolves, vampires, fairies, warlocks, etc.). The book I read recently was the second in the series, City of Ashes. It's the continuing adventure of teenage Shadowhunters Clary, Jace, Alec and Isabelle and their non-Nephilim friends as their world gets more dangerous. Valentine, Clary and Jace's father, is determined to take down the current governmental system and rule and he's taking steps toward that goal that shock even those who know how scary he can be. He's even scarier because he can make people stop and wonder if maybe his viewpoint might be the right one after all.

Against the backdrop of death and betrayal, the young Shadowhunters are also dealing with typical teenage trials such as unrequited love, forbidden love and emotional turmoil. There is one story thread that is likely to make some readers uncomfortable, but I'm reserving judgment until I read the third in the series, City of Glass (which is already available). I'm thinking (and hoping) that something will be revealed in that book that will take away the uncomfortable aspect of the storyline thus far.

Have any of you read this series? Please don't spoil me on the third book, but what did you think of the series overall?

In the midst of judging the RITA, I'm also working on revising one of my own books, due March 8. But I'm still hoping to make time to go see Percy Jackson the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I had hoped to read the book before I had to start my judging, but I ran out of time. Anyone else planning to go see it? Have you read the book?

Hey, Trish! I've not read that series, but I listened to my son read THE LIGHTNING THIEF. It is so good!! I'm listening to him read THE SEA OF MONSTERS this week (so he can take another AR test) and we plan to see THE LIGHTNING THIEF next week since the kids are out of school. We can't wait!!

I have not read or even heard of this series until now. It does look quite interesting and different though. The Lightning Thief is directed by the same guy who directed the first two Harry Potter movies, which were fantastic, so surely this movie will be just as good. :)

I haven't read TLT, but the movie looks good. Good for you, MJ, for reading it to your class. It seems like I start a novel with my 5th graders and other things crop up to interrupt our reading for long periods. Trish, thanks for being at TRD today.

@ MJ---8??!! Wow. Again, wow.I've done SIGN OF THE BEAVER as a novel unit, might start SPY CAT next. I tried THE WESTING GAME, but the last two classes haven't liked it.I'm in the process of reading THE VIEW FROM THE CHERRY TREE aloud to them, but it's slow-going.To be honest, my mind is on other things. I have a parent meeting tomorrow after school and the mother is upset and loaded for bear. Gulp.

Deb, the worst part of the job is parent meetings like that. I feel for you!

I read The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing, Trixie Belden, The Whipping Boy, Dive....I can't remember which others. The kids would play with Play-Doh while I read--it was destressing time for them, too.

Andrea, I told my kids that I had already read all the Little House books when I was their age! All they want are Junie B Jones books :-/

Me, too, MJ! And Nancy Drew. I looooved Nancy Drew. One series that my son really liked were the Ramona books. They are so funny. That and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I just love hearing him laugh while he reads!

My son has read the entire series! It is excellent. I brought it to his attention because it brought in some of the Greek mythology, which I have always loved. The author is a teacher and he wrote the series for his sons. And we will be going to see the movie!

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